* 1 The [[Nazgûl|Black Riders]] set forth to search for [[the One Ring]]. They pass northward across [[the Wold]]<ref name="Hunt"/>

* 4 [[Boromir]] sets out from [[Minas Tirith]].

* 4 [[Boromir]] sets out from [[Minas Tirith]].

* 10 [[Gandalf]] imprisoned in [[Orthanc]].

* 10 [[Gandalf]] imprisoned in [[Orthanc]].

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==September==

==September==

+

*Having failed to find the Shire, the Black Riders return to the Wold empty-handed; messengers from Sauron send them to [[Isengard]].<ref name="Hunt"/>

* 18 [[Gandalf]] escapes from [[Orthanc]] in the early hours. The [[Nazgûl|Black Riders]] cross the [[Fords of Isen]].

* 18 [[Gandalf]] escapes from [[Orthanc]] in the early hours. The [[Nazgûl|Black Riders]] cross the [[Fords of Isen]].

* 19 [[Gandalf]] comes to [[Edoras]] as a beggar, and is refused admittance.

* 19 [[Gandalf]] comes to [[Edoras]] as a beggar, and is refused admittance.

−

* 20 [[Gandalf]] gains entrance to [[Edoras]]. [[Théoden]] commands him to go: 'Take any horse, only be gone ere tomorrow is old!'

+

* 20 [[Gandalf]] gains entrance to [[Edoras]]. [[Théoden]] commands him to go: 'Take any horse, only be gone ere tomorrow is old!' The [[Nazgûl|Black Riders]] come to [[Isengard]].<ref name="Hunt"/>

−

* 21 [[Gandalf]] meets [[Shadowfax]], but the horse will not allow him to come near. He follows [[Shadowfax]] far over the fields.

+

* 21 [[Gandalf]] meets [[Shadowfax]], but the horse will not allow him to come near. He follows [[Shadowfax]] far over the fields. The [[Nazgûl|Black Riders]] encounter [[Gríma|Gríma Wormtongue]], who tells them of the location of [[the Shire]].<ref name="Hunt"/>

* 22 The [[Nazgûl|Black Riders]] reach [[Sarn Ford]] at evening; they drive off the guard of [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]]. [[Gandalf]] overtakes [[Shadowfax]]

* 22 The [[Nazgûl|Black Riders]] reach [[Sarn Ford]] at evening; they drive off the guard of [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]]. [[Gandalf]] overtakes [[Shadowfax]]

* 23 Four Riders enter [[the Shire]] before dawn. The others pursue the [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]] eastward, and then return to watch the [[Greenway]]. A [[Nazgûl|Black Rider]] comes to [[Hobbiton]] at nightfall. [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] leaves [[Bag End]]. [[Gandalf]] having tamed [[Shadowfax]] rides from [[Rohan]].

* 23 Four Riders enter [[the Shire]] before dawn. The others pursue the [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]] eastward, and then return to watch the [[Greenway]]. A [[Nazgûl|Black Rider]] comes to [[Hobbiton]] at nightfall. [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] leaves [[Bag End]]. [[Gandalf]] having tamed [[Shadowfax]] rides from [[Rohan]].

* 24 [[Gandalf]] crosses the [[Isen]]

* 24 [[Gandalf]] crosses the [[Isen]]

−

*25 A Black Rider approaches [[Farmer Maggot]] in [[Bamfurlong]] but he is ousted. The Hobbits later reach him who guides them with his wagon until the [[Bucklebury Ferry]]. The evening they meet Merry and reach [[Crickhollow]]. Frodo reveals them his plans, already known.

+

*25 A Black Rider approaches [[Farmer Maggot]] in [[Bamfurlong]] but he is ousted. The Hobbits later reach him who guides them with his wagon until the [[Bucklebury Ferry]]. The evening they meet Merry and reach [[Crickhollow]]. [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] reveals them his plans, already known.

July

August

All trace of Gollum is lost. It is thought that at about this time, being hunted both by the Elves and Sauron's servants, he took refuge in Moria; but when he had at last discovered the way to the West-gate he could not get out

September

Having failed to find the Shire, the Black Riders return to the Wold empty-handed; messengers from Sauron send them to Isengard.[1]